<bgsound src="midis/hug.mid" loop=infinite> GNARLED AND TWISTED, BUT HANGING ON ©By Russ



Coming home on the bus is not my favorite experience of the day. The ride is fine, lots of time to sit and unwind, but the limping walk from the bus stop and up the hill to the cabin can be a strain. My feet hurt badly, making me look like another summer visitor walking barefoot on hot sand. I finally gave in to the pain and sit beside the road, leaning back against against the fern-dotted red earth, just resting under the cool canopy of fir, and redwood trees that line the highway. Cars and trucks hurrying past stir up a breeze, which cool me, while I sit nursing my aching feet. I pause from mumbling to myself about my current state, just long enough to look across the highway at the remnants of the river forest. The spot my pain has chosen for me is opposite a huge redwood tree encircled by a wild grape vine, a vine as thick as my wrist. The vine, though gnarled and twisted, serenely continues its slow climb towards the sun. Maple, bay and fir beyond it are reaching down to the river's edge. A great blue heron stalks silently out of the shadows, pauses, waits patiently awhile, then moves on, passing out of my sight. I get slowly back up and continue towards home, my thoughts no longer focused on my aching feet. I haven't missed the lesson of this day, especially the part about gnarled old vines having the best view. Russ...7-31-98





E-mail me at: emmalie@sonic.net

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